Employment policy

It is true that government jobs alone are not a solution to unemployment among educated youth. But, despite grand announcement, the progress on skill mission is also tardy

Osmania University is on the boil once again. A university that was the cyno- sure of the movement for the separate state of Telangana is fuming again. This time against a government led by the party and the leader who led the move- ment for the separate state. This irony is not without a genuine reason.

The intake for this university comes mainly from the neighbouring districts largely comprising poor and low income groups. For them public employment is a source of security in life. Leaders in Telangana movement often propagated that lakhs of jobs meant for Telangana youth had been appropriated by Seemandhra youth.

Separate State was presented as a panacea for unemployment. But, ‘quixotic Telangana’ that provides jobs for all is still elusive. The separate state has brought political employment in a big way. Lead- ers of the movement are accommodated. But, the ordinary youth who found their destiny in the separate state are now rest- less. The ruling establishment is yet to respond in a reassuring manner to pla- cate them. The government has its own explana- tion to offer.

The division of employees is not yet complete so the exact number of vacancies in government jobs cannot be accurately assessed. Chief Minister assured in the state legislature that two lakh government jobs would be filled in next two years.

This statement failed to pacify the disgruntled youth who are now taking to streets. There is no use blaming it on the opposition. Obviously, the duty of the opposition is to galvanise the dis- content among those who are alienated by government policies.

It is true that government jobs alone are not a solution to unemployment among educated youth. But, despite grand announcement, the progress on skill mission is also tardy. The education system fails to impart entrepreneurial skills.

It is creating job seekers rather than job creators. But, this deep routed malaise cannot be addressed overnight. The government should come out with a com- prehensive public employment policy, the tenets of which can be as follows.

A comprehensive look at vacancies in all government departments should be as- certained. The strength of the government cadre should reflect the need for public services. The vacancies should be filled up at one go to meet the aspirations of lakhs of youth.

A public employment act should be enacted so that any vacancy should be filled up in that year itself. A year-long jobs examinations calendar should be announced on the lines of UPSC examinations.

The government should also take up an ambitious training programme for job seekers from low income families to give them a level playing field with those who can afford costly private coaching. Even the state of Andhra Pradesh needs such a public employment policy as the tag line of TDP was, ‘Elect Babu to get job (u).’